Sequential metabolizable energy plans for piglets from 7 to 30 kg

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate sequential metabolizable energy (ME) plans, maintaining the lysine: calorie ratio for piglets from 7 to 30 kg. Forty eight female piglets with initial weight of 6.9 ± 1.2 kg and final weight of 30.5 ± 3.8 kg were randomly allocated in a randomized complete blocks design to three nutritional plans with eight replicates and two animals per experimental unit. Sequential plans provided four ME levels: plan 1: 3,300-3,250-3,200-3,150 kcal ME kg-1, plan 2: 3,400-3,350-3,300-3,250 kcal ME kg-1, and plan 3: 3,500-3,450-3,400-3,350 kcal ME kg-1 of feed, from 7 to 10 kg, 10 to 15 kg, 15 to 20 kg and 20 to 30 kg, respectively. From 7 to 10 kg, there was no effect (P>0.05) of the nutritional plans in the evaluated variables. From 7 to 15 kg, a higher (P